David shrugged off the rejection cheerfully. “Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he said with a grin. “I just wanted you to know the offer still stands.”
She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Oh David, I do love you. You are the best friend a girl could have.” She pulled her arm through his, and they strolled, arm in arm, back to her parent’s house.
Later that night, sitting alone on his front porch, David wondered what would have happened if Sara hadn’t been kidnapped. Would they have stayed together? He liked to think so. He wished it was his child she was carrying. But if he couldn’t have her as a lover, he would cherish her friendship. He just hoped what he was planning on doing would not destroy that friendship.
Unlike Sara, David knew Rashid loved her. And would have known it even if the man had not said so himself. David suspected Rashid had stayed away from Sara for her sake, believing her to be better off without him. But seeing her the way she was, David was not so sure. She was miserable, and it was breaking his heart. So he decided to do something about it.
The next afternoon, David pulled up to the Golden Sands Casino in Atlantic City, in a rented Monte Carlo. He got out of the car and took the ticket from the parking valet. He stormed through the lobby, and went directly to Jack Hogan’s office. The protesting secretary followed him into the inner office.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hogan, but he just marched right past me,” she explained.
“That’s OK, Mary. I’ll see Mr. Wilson,” said Jack, waving her out. “So, Mr. Wilson, what brings you here? A little vacation?”
“I need to get in touch with Rashid, and I believe you can help me,” said David.
“Oh, you mean Prince Rashid.”
“Whatever.”
“Well, that could be difficult. He’s involved with the O.P.E.C. meetings, you know.”
David grabbed Jack by the front of his neatly pressed shirt, and said menacingly, “Listen, you son-of-a-bitch, I could still have you put away for the rest of your life. Kidnapping is a very serious crime, you know.”
“OK, OK. I’ll see what I can do.”